Doc Talk Podcast: Insights from the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival with Juliette Binoche and Yorgos Krassakopoulos
Academy Award winner Juliette Binoche recently embarked on a bold venture, creating a dance and theater piece that requires her to perform complex choreography for over an hour. Remarkably, she approached this project—developed in collaboration with dancer and choreographer Akram Khan—without any prior dance training.
Binoche revealed that the inspiration for this innovative project struck her during a massage from her trainer. She also disclosed that film legend Robert Redford encouraged her to document the production process.
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The acclaimed acting coach Susan Batson played a pivotal role in shaping Binoche’s performances. Binoche describes Batson as a genius who emphasized grounding the dance and acting in “sensation,” a distinct approach from the traditional emotional depth often sought in acting.
In an interview held in Thessaloniki, just before Binoche attended the CPH:DOX festival, she discussed her work with TiDF Head of Program Yorgos Krassakopoulos. He provided insight into the 28th edition of the Thessaloniki festival, highlighting its autonomy from the Greek Ministry of Culture. This independence allows the festival to showcase a diverse array of films, including those that have stirred controversy in the past, such as a documentary on abortion and IVF that incited protests from religious conservatives two years ago.
Krassakopoulos also shared his preparation for interviewing Binoche, which took place before a crowded audience at the John Cassavetes Theater. His deep understanding of cinema, coupled with his experience directing the Thessaloniki Film Festival each November, contributed to a compelling conversation.
For those interested, the interview can be listened to on various podcast platforms, including Spotify, iHeart, and Apple.
